Tips for dealing with a sore abdomen?

[HatheryOnHerWay 603]

Okay, so all this week I've been dealing with some pulled muscles in my abdomen. I overdid it over the weekend trying to adjust some wires behind my entertainment center, and managed to really tick off some of the muscles that are trying to heal.

So far I've been icing my belly, taking liquid hydrocodone left over from my surgery, wearing a back brace to support my abdomen and lower back muscles, and trying to rest as much as possible (easier said than done because I work full-time!)

I called my surgeon to make sure my symptoms didn't trouble him, and he agreed that it sounds like I probably re-tore some of the abdominal muscles that were healing. Lovely

Any other suggestions on how to make myself comfortable or speed along recovery? I was doing SO WELL after surgery, and could just kick myself for messing around with the stupid entertainment center. Rather, I could kick my husband for not doing it himself. haha

[Pookeyism 1,143]

are you hurting in a wide area or like you did the first time with your incisions? Also - is your timmy red, veined or hot or hard lumps? These are all symptoms that should be looked at. If you continue to hurt ask for a white blood cell count to rule out a serious infection.

[HatheryOnHerWay 603]

are you hurting in a wide area or like you did the first time with your incisions? Also - is your timmy red, veined or hot or hard lumps? These are all symptoms that should be looked at. If you continue to hurt ask for a white blood cell count to rule out a serious infection.

My incisions are nearly healed. They're not red, hot, hard or lumpy.

I'm hurting in a wide area, but I can kind of narrow it down to being worse if I press in the area around my incisions. It's worse when I'm sitting down than when I'm standing up.

[Rox 200]

I've read both of your posts, the polyp/BC conundrum and this ab pulled muscle - God knows i'm not a doctor. I do think that the muscle pull is just something that has to heal on its own, but try a heating pad,along with the ice. If your insurance covers it i'd get a second Gyno opinion.

[HatheryOnHerWay 603]

I feel like a real genius. Not.

Last night when I got home the pain in my tummy got worse and worse, and I was literally writhing on the couch. I realized the pain felt more like a distended abdomen, and then it hit me...I hadn't pooped in over a week. DUH! I took some Milk of Magnesia and like magic, 2 hours later (and 4 trips to the loo later) I was feeling fabulous!!

I do have a pulled muscle in my abdomen, but because that hurt I failed to realize the growing pain of being constipated. Let me tell ya, with the poop pain gone the pulled muscle is a LOT more tolerable! hahaha

Happy Friday!

[Pookeyism 1,143]

I feel like a real genius. Not.

"I realized the pain felt more like a distended abdomen, and then it hit me...I hadn't pooped in over a week."

That makes sense. The bowels can make things feel very, very bad when they are backed up. That is why I urge peple stay on track with chew, chew, chewing and introducing foods in moderation. In addition to understanding how your tummy will tolerate it, you get an idea of how your bowels will pass it.

Hope you continue to feel better!

[asmith31 0]

Anyone got any suggestions for pain in the large incision due to coughing. I feel like I am being stabbed every time I cough. I have tried ice and using a pillow when I get these coughing spells. Please help?

[HatheryOnHerWay 603]

Anyone got any suggestions for pain in the large incision due to coughing. I feel like I am being stabbed every time I cough. I have tried ice and using a pillow when I get these coughing spells. Please help?

Does taking acetaminophen after help?

[ChristineR 128]

Hather, Only thing I can think of is a warm heating pad.

asmith, is the coughing from being sick or something else? There is a tylenol with codeine in it my doctor gave me once. It was so wonderful and I stopped coughing.